Lineup

S O T Y

FEATURES

SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

30 J.J. Watt

He's proved to be much more than just a great defensive end

By Robert Klemko

46 José Altuve

No athlete had a greater impact on his team or his town in 2017

By Tom Verducci

MUHAMMAD ALI LEGACY AWARD

60 Colin Kaepernick

Shaking up the world comes with a price he is willing to pay

By Michael Rosenberg

• A close look at the QB's plan for real social change

By Greg Bishop and Ben Baskin

• He honors Ali as a selfless warrior for social justice

By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

TOP PERFORMERS

72 Maya Moore

SI's Performer of the Year keeps adding titles to her glorious résumé

By Richard Deitsch

78 High Achievers

These six athletes stunned and inspired, helping to make 2017 a most remarkable year

86 Federer-Nadal

A lesson in how champs can respect, support and—gasp!—like each other

By S.L. Price

96 Joel Embiid

The 76ers' future is bright with their dominant, personable big man

By Andrew Sharp

DEPARTMENTS

4 SI TV

6 Leading Off

12 Editors' Letter

14 Inbox

16 Scorecard

24 Faces in the Crowd

118 Point After

Greg Bishop: The real meaning of Pat Tillman's legacy

PICTURES OF THE YEAR

98 Lasting Images

Capturing the moments—big and small—that reflect the beauty of sports